Would you like your local association to be more effective in recruiting and engaging members?  Would you like your local to really make a difference in solving the problems your members face each day?

Well, AEA feels the same way!  The BELL Team program will utilize a new approach to building a strong leadership team for each local that participates.  This special training will be highly interactive and involve team members in gaining new knowledge and working for three days to put together a strategic plan to build a more effective local that meets the needs of its members.

To be accepted to this special training during the AEA Leadership Conference (June 11-13, 2026) in Mobile, a local must be willing to send a team of four to six local association leaders (for example, president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, executive board members, association reps).  AEA will select up to five teams from those who apply for this special training.  If your local is selected and participates, AEA will pay room and tax for up to two rooms for two nights.  AEA will waive the usual Leadership Conference registration fee for each team member selected and who participates. 

Any questions about the application process may be directed to LaToya Smitherman at 1-800-392-5839, latoya.smitherman@alaedu.org. 

If you are interested in having your local participate, please complete and return the attached application to:

  

All applications must be received by 4:45 p.m., Friday, May 8, 2026, to be considered.